On Mother’s Day years ago, the most coveted reservation in Utah was a table at the Flinders Mountain Meadow Ranch restaurant – its reputation for superb food and service legendary.
When asked his familiarity with the restaurant, fourth generation Parkite Steve Leatham leaned back in his chair as a wistful faraway expression gradually appeared. “Yes, I knew the Mountain Meadow Ranch well. It offered the finest family style dining in Utah. We ate there only on special occasions – Mother’s Day, birthdays, or when ‘Uncle Doc’ visited from LA.” Steve described the heavenly aromas and savory cuisine as if it was yesterday rather than decades ago.
The restaurant was owned and operated by the Flinders family. The popular eatery was located on their 900-acre ranch. It was one of the “big three” ranches in the Snyderville Basin area. The other two were owned by the Tree and Bitner families. Judd and Beth Flinders purchased the ranch in 1949, raising dairy cows and cattle. Besides grazing, they grew hay, alfalfa, and harvested sod. The restaurant was a family affair. To ensure first-class service, on the busiest days you might find three generations of Flinders working. Their numbers were augmented as needed by ranch hands or workers from the surrounding communities.
Beth Flinders was the chef. She was the undisputed maestro of the kitchen – setting the menu, sourcing the freshest ingredients, and cooking. Judd Flinders stood by her side, ready to assist as required. Together they represented a formidable culinary duo. Their slogan embodied the dining experience – “Our Best Advertisement is Eaten – Not Written”. The restaurant, ranch, and family prospered.
Mother’s Day was one of the busiest days of the year. The first cars trickled in by 10:30 a.m. or so. The restaurant opened at 11 a.m., when the trickle turned to torrent. For the next ten hours the scene could best be described as choreographic.
For one 1960s Mother’s Day, the most opulent private dining room, the San Francisco Room, was reserved for a family celebration. The San Francisco Room featured a gas chandelier, heavy velvet drapes embroidered with gold trim, museum quality furniture, and a braided rug. It was fit for a king – or a prophet. The name on the reservation was nondescript of all the other bookings on that sold out day.
Credit: Courtesy of Leland Flinders.
Working as a waitress, one of the Flinders children, Libby, entered the kitchen, mentioning to her parents that the McKay family was seated in the San Francisco Room. The eight new arrivals reposing in quiet luxury were just another family set to enjoy a wonderful Mother’s Day feast. Except that they weren’t just another family. A quick conversation ensued. Judd and Beth stated that they “needed a minute” to don clean aprons. They would briefly abandon their command post.
The Flinders were practicing LDS members. David O. McKay, attending to Mother’s Day matters in the San Francisco Room, was the ninth President of the LDS Church. A position he would hold from 1951 until his passing in 1970. Within the Church hierarchy, his stature was equivalent to that of the Pope. Like all the other diners that day, the McKay family eagerly anticipated experiencing the Flinders’ renowned hospitality and cuisine. They would not be disappointed.
Upon entering the private chamber, pleasantries were exchanged. With a smile, President McKay thanked Judd and Beth for their gracious hospitality. He appreciated the demands on their time, especially this day, and wished them well as they returned to the kitchen. Thus, a new chapter was added to the Mountain Meadow Ranch Mother’s Day lore – hosting the Prophet.
Acknowledgements: The author expresses his deepest appreciation to Leland Flinders, his surviving siblings (Melvin, Jerran, Libby), Scott Smith, and Steve Leatham for sharing their Mountain Meadows Ranch Restaurant memories. Happy Mother’s Day from the Park City Museum! The Museum is open every day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., even in mud season!